New Dacia Duster Laureate Styling Changes For 2015

2015 Dacia Duster Laureate 4x4 Styling

The 2015 Dacia Duster Lauréate 4x4 has new styling cues to elevate it above this year's version. This top-spec trim has a revised chrome grille that has two rows of intakes around the brand's logo. At the rear, plastic tailgate trim with “Duster” branding sits above the registration plate. Chrome roof bars incorporating the word “Duster” sit on the roof. These – as well as elevating it beyond its lesser siblings that have plastic finish bars – enable the motorist to expand cargo from the boot to the roof. The Laureate 4x4 also has new, sixteen inch, wheels, body-coloured door handles and dark metal mirror casings. New metallic paints such as Mercury, Khaki, Pearl Black, Slate Grey and Cinnamon feature too. Finally, the seats have a new grey cloth with contrasting stitching.

2015 Dacia Duster Lauréate 4x4 System, Boot, Engine And Equipment

This top-spec trim has four-wheel-drive and high ground clearance for negotiating off-road obstacles. The former – even for those that never venture off-road – is invaluable in poor weather. The system can be locked to front-wheel-drive in normal condition to save fuel, to four-wheel-drive when the surface is hazardous, or to automatic. The final option ensures that power is only sent to the rear wheels when the front lose traction. The Duster also seats five people and has a large 443-litre cargo capacity. The latter can be increased to 1,604 by folding the rear seats flat which is more than some estate cars. Power comes from a 1.461-litre, 109hp, diesel engine that is teamed with six-speed manual transmission. The 0-62 mph time is 12.5 seconds and it averages 53.3mpg. Standard equipment includes: air-con, four electric windows, powered mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring, traction control, and a gear shift indicator that saves fuel by reminding the driver to keep engine revolutions low. Prices start at £15,495.